Tractor.



W. BOULAIS.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED Aue.23, l9]?- Patented Nov. 12, 1918.

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TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED Aua.23. I917.

Patented Nov. 12, 1918.

' 34411010501 W042 Zaal? 3 SHEETSSHEET 3- u nollus Frill cu. Pump-urn WILFRIID BOULAIS, 0F IPSWICH, MASSACHUSETTS.

TRACTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 12, 1918.

Application filed August 23, 1917. Serial No. 187,849.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILFRID BoULAIs, a citizen of the United States, residing at I Ipswich, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tractors; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in tractors and more particularly to those in tended principally for use in drawing agricultural implements of all sorts. It is to be understood, however, that the machine is applicable for numerous other purposes.

One object-of the invention is to provide a simply constructed and inexpensive tractor which may be easils controlled and turned in an exceptionally small'space.

A further object is to provide a tractor which is bothsteered and propelled by a single motor or engine.

With the foregoing general objects in view the invention resides in the novel features of construction and'the unique combinations of parts to be hereinafter fully described and claimed, the descriptive matter being supplemented by the accompanying drawings which form a part of this speci fication and in which; p

' Figure 1 is a side elevation of a tractor constructed in accordance with the 'inven tion;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is substantially a central vertical longitudinal section;

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section on" the plane indicated bythe line 4.i of Fig. 2 showing more particularly the steering mechanism; and

Fig. 5 is a detailtransverse section showing more particularly the mounting of the horizontally swinging front frame, this view being cut substantially on the plane of the line 55 of Fig. 2.

In the drawings above briefly described,

the numeral 1 designates a longitudinal beam preferably but not necessarily formed of'a single length of pipe. the rear end of said beam having a. suitable supporting wheel 2 whereas the front end of the beam in question is provided with a circular track 3. A plurality of shoe members 4; are provided with horizontal rollers 5 and vertical rollers 6 traveling respectively on the edges and on the inner side of the track 3, said shoe members being rigidly secured to a circular ring member 7, the latter being in turn permanently and rigidly secured to the upper side of a horizontally swinging frame 8 which preferably extends beyond the front side of the ring 7 as shown clearly in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The parts 7 and 8 may be connected in any preferred manner, but suitable brackets 9 are preferably provided for this purpose, the shoe members 4 being also equipped with suitable flanges 10 secured to the frame 8 as shown more particularly in Fig. 5.

The frame 8 includes a pair of longitu= dinal bars 11 which are parallel with and spaced inwardlvfrom the side bars of said frame, a suitable tractor wheel 12 being rotatably mounted between said bars 11 as shown. said wheel having an internal gear ring 13 which meshes with a piston 14 carried by a short shaft 15. having a spur gear or the like 16 on one end, said gear 16'being shown in mesh with an idler 17 which is in turn driven from a spur gear 18' on a trans verse shaft 19 mounted on the front end of the frame 8. At one end. the shaft 19 is provided with a friction disk 20 which coacts with a similar disk 21 on the front end of a longitudinal shaft 22 which is also mounted on the frame 8. A vertical arm 23 rises from the peripherally grooved hub of the disk 21 and may be connected to any suitable control means for shifting the disk 22 along the face of disk 20 so that the speed at which thelatter is driven may be varied. It will thus be obvious that the speed of the entire tractor is readily under the control of the operator who will occupy the seat 26 at'the rear end of the beam 1 or at auv other suitable location. Reversing of the machine mav also be eflect d-hv moving disk 21 across the center of disk 20.

It will be observed v rafere ce to ig. 2, that the gear 18 is connected adjustably, by means of a set screw 27. to the shaft 19. this arrangement being p ov ded in order th t said gear may be shifted out of mesh with the gear 17 so that power may be taken'from the shaft 19 without driving the entire tractor, said shaft being provided with a pulley or the l ke 28 for this purpose. It will be obvious that numerous kinds of farm machinery and implements ma be driven from the pulley 28 when the gears 17 and 18 are out of mesh, and that parts of portable machines such as corn harvesters and binders, could well be driven from said pulle'y while being propelled or drawn over the field by the tractor.

By means of a clutch 29, the shaft 22 is driven from a suitable gasolene engine or other appropriate motor 30, said motor being mounted on the frame 8 for horizontal swinging therewith.

It will be observed by reference to Figs. 1 and 2 that the engine 30 is positioned adjacent one side of the tractor wheel 12, this being an extremely compact arrangement, yet one which is highly e'llicient, since the engine is located in proximity to the parts to be driven thereby. A vertical arm 31 is shown rising from the clutch 29 for connection with a suitable control for throwing said clutch in or out as occasion may demand. It will thus be observed that the entire machine may be stopped and started at will without the necessity of interrupting the action of the motor or the like 30.

The rear end of the engine shaft is provided with a friction disk 35, said disk being interposed between a pair of similar disks 36 which are carried on a sleeve 37, said sleeve being mounted slidably on a transverse shaft 38 which is mounted in suitable bearings on the upper end of standards 39 which rise from the frame 8. One .end of shaft 38 carries a pinion 40 which meshes with a gear 41 on the inner end of a second transverse shaft 42, this shaft being also mounted on the frame 8 as shown (see more particularly Fig. l). By means of a universal joint 43, the shaft 42 is connected to another shaft 44, the latter being equipped with a pinion i5 in mesh with the teeth of an arcuate gear ring or rack 46. the latter being rigidly secured to the track 3 as will be clear from Figs. 2 and 4:. By this arrangement, it will be observed that when either one of the disks 36 is rotated by contact with the disk 35, the entire frame will be caused to turn in one direction or the other. by the fact that the rotating pinion 45 will travel along the rack 46.

An arm 47 is shown rising from the sleeve 37 for connection to a suitable control for shifting said sleeve to bring either disk 36 into contact with the disk 35. It will be obvious that power may be taken from the engine 30 for steering the machine in either direction.

A rigid bracket 50 extends laterally from the track 3 to prevent the weight of the motor 30 from tilting the entire machine, said bracket being supported by a suitable fork 51 in which a caster wheel 52 is mounted, said fork being adjustable inwardly and outwardly along the bracket 50 and being provided with bolts or the like 53 for securing it in adjusted position. By

trac or varies its course.

so adjusting the fork 51, the wheel 32 may be positioned for traveling on the most advantageous path. when plowing, cultivating or performing other farm work.

From the foregoing, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be obvious that although my invention is of comparatively simple and inexpensive construction. it will be highly efficient and durable for numerous purposes. 1 have illustrated the preferred form of the machine, but it is to be understood that within the scope of the invention as claimed. numerous minor changes may be made without sacrificing the principal advantages. For instance. any control suitable for the purposes intended may be used in place of those shown.

In conclusion. I wish to direct particular attention to the fact that the machine is not only steered and driven by the single engine 30. but that the entire tractor may be turned completely around or to any required extent in an extremely small space. it being possible to position :the tractor wheel 12 at any required angle to the longitudinal axis of the machine. and since said wheel is driven. the tractor may be turned abruptly or gradually as occasion mavdemand. the caster wheel 52 turningautomatically as the Furthermore. by shifting the disk 21 to theropposi e side of the disk 20 from that shown in Fig. 2. the machine may be reversed quickly and easily.

Iclaim:

1. A tractor comprising a longitudinal beam having a supporting wheel at itsrear end. a horizontall swin ing frame supportingthe front end of said beam and having a central tractor wheel. an engine mounted on said frame at one side of said wheel. drivins connections between said tractor Wheel and engine. and a rigid lateral hrackethaving a caster wheel to prevent the weight'of the engine from tilting the machine.

2. A tractor comprising a longitudinal beam having a supporting wheel at its rear end. a circular horizontally deposed track secured r g dlv to the front end of said beam. a horizontally swing ng frame having guide means mounted on said track. a tractor wheel mounted centrally in said frame, a rig d bracket extending :laterallv from said track and having a caster wheel. an engine mounted on said frame between said tractor and caster -wheel. driving connections between said eng ne and tractor wheel, and means for turning said frame at will.

8. A tractor comprising a longitudina beam having a supporting wheel at its rear end. a horizontally swing ng frame supporting the front end of said beam and having a central tractor wheel. an engine mounted on said frame at one side of said wheel. driving connections between one .end of said shaft and said tractor wheel, a main friction disk In testimony whereof I have hereunto set secured on the other end of said shaft, a my hand in the presence of two subscribing 10 pair of friction disks movable along their witnesses. axes into contact with diametrically opposite points on the periphery of sand main disk, means for so shifting said disks, and Witnesses: means driven by said disks for turning said EDWARD J. MARCORELLE, frame at will. OVILA H. RATHE.

WILFRID BOULAIS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for flve cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner 0: Patents;

Washington, D. Q." 

